Stephon Castle, Jalen Johnson Named Players Of The Week
Spurs guard Stephon Castle has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week and Hawks forward Jalen Johnson has won the award in the East, the NBA announced today (Twitter links). Week 16 of the 2025/26 season covered games played from February 2-8.
Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, helped San Antonio go 3-0 last week. The 21-year-old filled the stat sheet, averaging 24.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.0 block in just 26.7 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .630/.364/.769.
As Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com details, Castle’s week was highlighted by a phenomenal performance in Saturday’s victory vs. Dallas. The former UConn standout scored a career-high 40 points (on 15-of-19 shooting, or 78.9%), grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds, dished out 12 assists, and swiped three steals in 32 minutes.
Castle became the youngest player in NBA history with a 40-12-12 stat line (the record was previously held by Oscar Robertson), per Wright, and the second player in league history to register a 40-point triple-double while shooting at least 75.0% from the field, joining Wilt Chamberlain, who accomplished the feat three times. And it all came on the one-year anniversary of when he set his previous career high with 33 points.
“I don’t know, something about this day,” Castle said, smiling. “Having a game like this, it’s definitely a dream come true. It felt good just to be out there feeling comfortable with every shot that I took and [got to] see them go in.”
As for Johnson, the 2026 All-Star continued his standout season last week, averaging 27.3 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 11.3 APG and 1.0 SPG on .544/.294/.750 shooting in three games (Atlanta went 2-1 in those contests). Johnson recorded a pair of triple-doubles from Feb. 2-8, raising his season total to 10, the most in the East and second-most in the NBA, only trailing Nikola Jokic (18).
No other player has ever recorded 10 triple-doubles in their entire Hawks career, let alone in a single season, per the team. It was the second weekly honor for the fifth-year forward, who also won Player of the Week in November.
According to the NBA, the other nominees in the West were Trail Blazers teammates Donovan Clingan and Jerami Grant, Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, and Castle’s teammate Victor Wembanyama. Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid of the Sixers, Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), and Ryan Rollins (Bucks) were nominated in the East.
Pacers’ Johnny Furphy Out For Season With Torn ACL
4:05 pm: Indiana has formally announced Furphy’s injury in a press release.
3:44 pm: Pacers swingman Johnny Furphy underwent an MRI on Monday which revealed a torn ACL in his right knee, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
Tony East of Circle City Spin confirms the news (via Twitter).
The 35th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Furphy suffered the injury during Sunday’s loss in Toronto when he landed awkwardly after a dunk (YouTube link). The second-year guard/forward immediately grabbed at his right knee and was clearly in a tremendous amount of pain. The entire team gathered around him and it was evident he may have sustained a significant injury.
It’s a tough blow for Furphy, who had started 21 of Indiana’s past 22 games. The 21-year-old put up fairly modest stats in his second season, averaging 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 35 appearances (18.4 minutes per game), with a shooting line of .470/.324/.486. However, he’s a plus rebounder for a wing, plays solid defense, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective.
The Pacers, who have dealt with numerous injuries this season, are high on Furphy, a native of Australia who played his college ball at Kansas, Scotto adds.
In addition to missing the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign, Furphy will likely miss a good portion of next season as well. Moritz Wagner and Grant Williams returned to action in January after tearing their ACLs during the ’24/25 season, and both players missed 12-plus months (Williams tore his meniscus and other ligaments as well).
Furphy will earn a guaranteed $2.3MM next season. The Pacers hold a $2.5MM team option on his contract for ’27/28.
Pistons Promote Daniss Jenkins, Waive Dario Saric
February 9: The moves are official, according to a team press release.
February 8: The Pistons are converting Daniss Jenkins from a two-way contract to a two-year standard deal using a portion of their bi-annual exception, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
Jenkins will receive a two-year, $8MM contract, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). His salary will represent the largest single-season sum a two-way player has ever received on a conversion, Scotto notes.
The second-year guard’s new contract will feature a team option for 2026/27, Charania adds.
To make room on their standard roster, the Pistons are expected to waive veteran forward/center Dario Saric, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (Twitter link). Hunter Patterson of The Athletic confirms Saric will be the odd man out (Twitter link).
Jenkins will now be eligible to play for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. Two-way players are not playoff-eligible.
Pistons head of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said prior to Friday’s game that the team planned to promote Jenkins this weekend. Jenkins reached his 50-game active limit on Friday evening in the blowout victory over New York.
Jenkins reportedly turned down a two-year, minimum-salary contract offer near the end of January, which turned out to be the right call. The 24-year-old point guard recently told Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press that he was motivated by going undrafted out of St. John’s in 2024.
“If I’m being honest, and everybody knows I’m a very humble guy, but in college, most of these dudes that got drafted, what was the difference between me and them?” he said. “What? You tell me, what was the difference? For me, going undrafted is insanity to me, literally insanity, and that burns inside of me every single day.”
In 42 games this season (16.8 minutes per contest), Jenkins has averaged 8.2 points, 3.3 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals on .430/.391/.800 shooting. He has been Detroit’s primary backup behind Cade Cunningham for much of 2025/26.
The bi-annual exception, as its name suggests, is only available to teams once every two years. Detroit will not have access to the exception in ’26/27.
Saric is earning a guaranteed $5,426,400 this season, but most of that total was already paid by Sacramento, which traded him to Chicago on February 1. The Bulls sent him to the Pistons a couple days later in the deal that saw Kevin Huerter land in Detroit and Jaden Ivey in Chicago.
Saric, 31, only appeared in five games in 2025/26 after playing in 16 contests with Denver last season.
Cam Thomas Signs With Bucks
9:20 pm: Thomas has officially signed with the Bucks, per a press release from the team. It’s a minimum-salary deal, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks at Sports Business Classroom, which means Milwaukee will carry a rest-of-season cap hit of $844,607.
4:37 pm: Thomas confirmed his decision to sign with the Bucks in a statement to Spears (Twitter link).
“I picked Milwaukee because they wanted me and they told me they’ve been interested for years now,” Thomas said. “So, it’s good to have this opportunity come to fruition. And I’m just hoping to meet everybody, get to know everybody and contribute as soon as possible.”
Thomas’ contract with Milwaukee will cover the remainder of the season, reports Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
4:02 pm: Free agent guard Cam Thomas has reached a contract agreement with the Bucks, agent Tony Ronzone tells Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Thomas was waived by the Nets on Thursday evening after he wasn’t traded prior to the deadline. He was hoping he would be released if he wasn’t included in a deal so he could pick his next team.
“Super excited ready to actually help and contribute to another team,” Thomas told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “My next team is getting elite scoring, good play-making and a good combo guard.”
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype linked Thomas to the Bucks multiple times leading up to the deadline. The Cavaliers also expressed trade interest in Thomas, according to Scotto, who reports (via Twitter) that the deal would have included Lonzo Ball and second-round draft compensation. The Cavs instead traded a pair of second-rounders to Utah take on Ball’s $10MM salary.
Thomas, 24, led the Nets in scoring during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. However, he was limited to just 25 games last season due to a left hamstring injury, which he strained again in early November. He wound up missing 20 consecutive games as a result of that injury.
Although Thomas is an undeniably talented scorer, he isn’t the most efficient offensive player, and his game isn’t very well-rounded. In 24 games this season, he has averaged 15.6 points, 3.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds on .399/.325/.843 shooting splits.
Milwaukee has an opening on its 15-man standard roster and won’t have to waive anyone to add Thomas. The Bucks also have an open two-way spot.
Wizards GM Expects Anthony Davis To Return This Season
NBA insider Chris Haynes recently reported that Anthony Davis, who was traded from Dallas to Washington last week, was expected miss the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign to recover from hand and groin injuries. Citing a league source, The Athletic confirmed that the Wizards big man was unlikely to play again this season.
However, general manager Will Dawkins said on Sunday that he anticipates Davis making his Wizards debut this season, though a return timeline won’t be established until the All-Star break (Twitter video link via Bijan Todd of Monumental Sports Network).
“The plan for AD right now is to go back to Dallas and finish his rehab,” Dawkins said. “He has a really good team down there. Our doctors met with them, and our medical staff’s going to go down with him. So we want to keep that good thing going that he has.
“During All-Star break, he takes another visit for a doctor. And that’s a big appointment for us to kind of see where his progress is at. And after that, after (the) All-Star break, he’ll return to D.C. and be here with the team.”
According to David Aldridge and Josh Robbins of The Athletic, Dawkins said the Wizards think Trae Young (another trade acquisition) and Davis will help the team be more competitive next season.
“AD is a special player, a special talent,” Dawkins said. “He, obviously, opens up so much on offense because he demands double teams. He can score in different areas. Defensively, he’s been an anchor, rebounder, rim protector when you have him at the four (and) Alex (Sarr) at the five, protecting the paint. (With) Bilal (Coulibaly), Kyshawn (George), Jamir (Watkins), some of our elite wing defenders out there, we want to be long, we want to be athletic, we want to be able to protect the paint better than we have.”
Dawkins also provided an injury update on Young, per Ian Nicholas Quillen of The Associated Press. The four-time All-Star, who has yet to play for the Wizards after dealing with a right knee sprain and quad contusion with the Hawks, will be reevaluated during the break.
“He’s still working on the court,” Dawkins said. “He started doing 1-on-0, he started doing a little bit of more 2-on-2 type actions. … He’s trending in a positive direction.”
D’Angelo Russell Won’t Report To Wizards, May Be Bought Out
Veteran guard D’Angelo Russell is technically a member of the Wizards after being included in the Anthony Davis trade last week. However, it sounds as though his tenure with the team might end before it even begins.
General manager Will Dawkins said the front office has been in contact with Russell and his agents, but Russell won’t report to the team “as we try to figure out what’s best for him and us and our future,” per Henry J. Brown of SI (Twitter video link).
While he didn’t state it outright, Dawkins’ comments suggest the Wizards may either waive or reach a buyout agreement with Russell, who makes $5.7MM this season and holds a player option worth nearly $6MM for 2026/27.
On Sunday morning, Washington waived Dante Exum, another player included the trade. The injured guard will miss the rest of the season following December knee surgery. Exum was on a minimum-salary contract.
Russell was Dallas’ primary free agent addition last summer. The 29-year-old struggled to make an impact in 26 games (19.0 minutes per contest) with the Mavericks though, averaging 10.2 points, 4.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds on .405/.295/.717 shooting.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Russell has suited up for the Lakers (two different stints), Nets (ditto), Warriors, Timberwolves and Mavs over the course of his 11 NBA seasons. The one-time All-Star holds career averages of 17.0 PPG, 5.6 APG, 3.3 RPG and 1.0 SPG on .427/.363/.793 shooting in 655 games (29.4 MPG).
Dawkins also discussed Jaden Hardy, the fourth former Mav who was sent to Washington. The fourth-year guard arrived in D.C. on Sunday and was inactive for today’s game. Hardy earns $6MM next season with a $6MM team option for ’27/28.
“Excited to have another young, scoring athlete in the mix with our young guys,” Dawkins said. “We’ll see him play a little bit towards the end of the season.”
NBA Announces Eight Participants For Three-Point Contest
The NBA has announced the eight-player field for the 2026 three-point contest, which will take place on February 14 at 4:00 pm CT (Twitter link).
Here’s the full list of participants:
Devin Booker, Suns- Kon Knueppel, Hornets
- Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
- Tyrese Maxey, Sixers
- Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
- Jamal Murray, Nuggets
- Bobby Portis, Bucks
- Norman Powell, Heat
Lillard’s inclusion in the competition is a surprise, as the nine-time All-Star will miss the entire season after tearing his Achilles tendon last April. The 35-year-old guard is a two-time winner of the three-point contest.
Booker is another former three-point contest champion, though he’s only shooting 30.7% from long distance this season, which represents a career low.
No. 4 overall pick Knueppel has a chance to become the first rookie to win the event, per the league. The former Duke standout has connected on 42.8% of his outside looks on high volume (7.8 attempts per game).
Portis is the only big man among the eight competitors. He has also been the most accurate three-point shooter in the field this season, converting 45.1% of his 4.3 attempts per game.
First-time All-Stars Murray (43.2% on 7.5 attempts per game) and Powell (39.3% on 7.2 attempts) are having strong seasons for their respective clubs. Mitchell (37.9% on 9.7 attempts) and Maxey (38.2% on 8.8 attempts) are the highest-volume three-point shooters in the field and are also the top two scorers.
Last year’s winner, Tyler Herro, is currently sidelined because of a rib injury. He declined an invitation to focus on his health over the All-Star break.
Jayson Tatum Begins 5-On-5 Work, Still No Return Timeline
In an appearance on NBA Countdown (Twitter video link), ESPN’s Shams Charania provided an injury update on Celtics star Jayson Tatum ahead of Sunday’s game vs. New York. Tatum is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in May during the 2025 playoffs.
“Jayson Tatum has started controlled 5-on-5 scrimmaging with coaches,” Charania said. “He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn. There’s more boxes for Jayson Tatum to check. There’s more phases in his rehab, he’s got to practice with the team.”
As Keith Smith of Spotrac tweets, the next step for Tatum will likely be scrimmaging against Boston’s end-of-bench reserves, since full in-season practices are rare.
Tatum said at the end of January that he was undecided on whether or not he’ll attempt to return to action this season. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens recently said the five-time All-NBA forward will only play once he’s been cleared by the involved parties.
“The best time for Jayson Tatum to come back is when he’s 110 percent healthy, he’s fully cleared by everybody that matters in that decision, and he’s got great peace of mind and he’s ready to do it. That’s it,” Stevens said. “That’s the objective, and that’s what we’re going to stick with.”
Charania reiterated what Stevens said on Sunday.
“Jayson Tatum has made clear to the people around him … that he wants to come back as close to Jayson Tatum … as possible. Not a shell of himself, not a lesser percentage of himself,” Charania said.
Alperen Sengun Named To Second Straight All-Star Game
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has named Rockets center Alperen Sengun as an injury replacement for the 2026 All-Star game, the league announced today (via Twitter).
Sengun will replace Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Team World. The reigning MVP is dealing with an abdominal strain that will sideline him through the All-Star break.
It’s the second straight All-Star appearance for Sengun, who is in his fifth NBA season. The Turkish big man has made 44 appearances thus far in 2025/26, averaging 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 block in 34.0 minutes per game, with a shooting slash line of .496/.298/.693.
The All-Star game is technically a mini-tournament this year, not an individual game. Three teams will play each other once apiece in 12-minute games, with the top two teams from round-robin play advancing to the championship.
The full list of all the 2026 All-Stars and the teams they’re on can be found here. J.B. Bickerstaff (Pistons), Mitch Johnson (Spurs) and Darko Rajakovic (Raptors) will coach the three teams.
Warriors, Nuggets Eyeing Lonzo Ball
3:00 pm: Multiple teams have requested access to review Ball’s medical records, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link). Pending review of said records, Ball is likely to land with Golden State, according to Fischer, who confirms the Nuggets expressed interest in Ball too (Twitter link)
12:55 pm: In addition to working to convert Pat Spencer from a two-way deal to a standard contract, the Warriors are also interested in signing Lonzo Ball, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (via Twitter).
Fischer’s Stein Line colleague Marc Stein hears Ball is expected to land in the Western Conference (Twitter link). Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints confirms Golden State is interested in Ball, and says the Nuggets are a “serious suitor” for the 28-year-old guard as well (Twitter link).
Both the Warriors (13) and Nuggets (13) have two openings on their 15-man standard rosters and will need to get back up to 14 within two weeks.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Ball has dealt with a variety of health issues over the course of his career, most notably a left knee injury which caused him to undergo three surgeries and to miss two-and-a-half seasons. The 6’5″ guard spent the first several months of 2025/26 with the Cavaliers, who traded him (and two second-round picks) to the Jazz in a salary-dump move prior to Thursday’s deadline.
Ball was cut by Utah on Thursday after the deal was completed, making him an unrestricted free agent as soon as he clears waivers.
Ball, whom Cleveland acquired last summer in a trade that sent Isaac Okoro to Chicago, struggled mightily with his shot in his lone season with the Cavs, averaging a career-low 4.6 points on a career-worst .301/.272/.667 shooting line in 20.8 minutes per game across 35 appearances. He also chipped in 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Those shooting splits are somewhat misleading, as nearly 84% of Ball’s field goal attempts have been three-pointers, but obviously 27.2% is a poor mark from beyond the arc and well below his career rate (35.5%).
As for Spencer, the 6’2″ point guard reached his 50-game active limit in Thursday’s comeback win at Phoenix. He certainly made a strong case for a promotion in that victory, recording a team-high 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 32 minutes with Stephen Curry sidelined due to a knee injury.
Overall, the 29-year-old has averaged 5.8 PPG, 2.9 APG and 2.2 RPG on .423/.431/.833 shooting in 36 games (14.4 MPG).